Exploration of
Cuevas de Pomier Anthroplogical Reserve.Cuevas de Pomiér Anthropological Reserve
which is located about an hour's drive west of Santo Domingo on the
outskirts of San Cristobal is the only region in the country specifically
designated for the protection of a subterranean ecosystem and it is
the single most important pre-Columbian site in the Caribbean. With
more 6000 recorded pictographs and around 500 petroglyphs pertaining
to several distinct indigenous populations, the Cuevas de Pomier are,
in anthropological importance, for the Caribbean what the Pyramids of
Giza are for Egypt and the Altamira and Lascaux Caves are for Europe.
Cave Number One has 590 pictographs; more than are found in all other
locations in the Minor Antilles put together. We spend the afternoon
exploring this cave which provides insights into the Pre-Columbian origins
of humans in the Caribbean with Dominican environmental activist, journalist
and Espeleogrupo Santo Domingo President, Domingo Abreu.

Picnic Lunch at
Pomier.

Transport to Cabarete,
North Coast.Check-in to hotel.

River exploration
to La Boca Beach Dinner & Bonfire.A short distance from the Laguna Cabarete &
Goleta park office, on the banks of the Islabon River, Wilson Zapeta
has a small ranch of wildlife in temporary captivity. Here we have the
opportunity to see some of the Dominican Republic's more elusive wilderness
creatures, such as the Carey Turtle, Boa Serpent, Tarantula, Rhinoceros
Iguana, North American Crocodile, Turkey Vulture, Sparrow Hawk, and
Mongoose. From there you board a boat for a leisurely float down the
Wilson River to its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean. Your dinner this evening
is served on the beach, amongst the sand dunes and a roaring bonfire.

Full Day Canyoning.Rappel down a 50 meter waterfall to enjoy challenging
jumps from as high as 12 meters. Includes professional guides, refreshments
and fruit, equipment, a day of guaranteed adventure, and roundtrip transportation.
Rating: Intermediate-Advance hikers looking for an intense experience.
Swimmers only.

White Water Rafting,
Class III.A beautiful adventure in breath-taking surroundings.
The Yaque del Norte river is the longest in the DR, and offers fantastic
rapids, demanding technical stretches, a narrow canyon, and adrenalizing
drops. Rapids are soft and gentle in the beginning allowing enough time
to learn skills and commands. The second part offers rafting at its
best with awesome drops, like Mike Tyson and the Mother-in-Law. Includes
roundtrip transportation, boat, equipment, guides, instruction, light
breakfast, and lunch. Rating: Class III. Swimmers only.

Buffet lunch at
Rancho Baiguate.

Transport to La
Cienega de Manabao.
Transport: North Coast to Jarabacoa to La Cienega de Manabao [4.5 hours]

Pico Duarte 3-Day
Mule Trek-Hike.

Hike to Los Tablones
(pending Nat'l Park approval).
Trek: La Cienega de Manabao to Los Tablones [4 Km, elevation 1000M to
1200M]:The short, mild hike into Los Tablones is an excellent warm-up for
the next day's serious mileage. We follow the Los Tablones River, forming
the boundary of the park, along a flat path frequented by locals who
live near the base camp. Towering Wild Cane lines our path and giant
broadleaf forests form a canopy overhead. We arrive at the camp of Los
Tablones in plenty of time for happy hour and a little exploration before
our filling supper of Chambre, a traditional Dominican stew.
{Alternate: camp at Armando Bermudez Nat'l Park Headquarters at La Cienega
de Manabao}.

Dinner.

Accommodations:
Cabin Camping.

Day 5: August
17, 2004 (Tuesday)

Los Tablones to
La Cotorra (4Km, 1200M to 1750M): Awakened
by the brisk air, and our guide, we arise before dawn for a nutritious
breakfast of fresh fruits, cereal, hot oatmeal, juice, hot chocolate,
and "campesino coffee" made on the open flame of the fogon.
Following the Tablones River for .5 Km, the trail begins a rapid climb
up some of the most eroded and technical parts of the trail. The surroundings
give way to a new life-zone of vegetation featuring Lirio, Myrtle Laurel
Cherry, Copey, Pasture Fiddlewood, West Indies Laurel Cherry, and Sierra
Palm. Our resting-place for a short break, La Cotorra, is aptly named
for the Hispaniola Parrots that congregate in the area in the late afternoon.

La Cotorra to La
Laguna (2 Km, 1720M to 2100M): Climbing away
from the broad views of the La Cienega Valley, the trail follows the
natural ridge-line. Once again, new flora greets us as West Indian Sumac,
Palo de Viento, Wild Brazilleto, Krug Wild Avocado, and Tree Ferns decorate
the thick forest surrounding us. A fresh-water spring is our reward
at La Laguna.

La Laguna to El
Cruce (.5 Km, 2100M to 2200M): The trail climbs
steeply to the intersection where the path to Pico Duarte and picturesque
Valle Tetero separates. The northern slope is blanketed with green ferns.

El Cruce to Aguita
Fria (5 Km, 2200M to 2600M): Climbing the natural
ridgeline, the vegetation makes its final Caribbean Alpine change before
reaching the barren-rock top of Pico Duarte to Creolean Pine, Lyonia
Heptamera, Myrica Picardae, and low-growing bushes, like Garrya Fadyenii,
Satureja Alpestris, and Baccharis Myrsinites. Our resting place for
a refueling snack at Aguita Fria is just beyond a wet bog. It is in
this place that the headwaters of the two longest rivers in the DR,
Yaque del Norte and Yaque del Sur, subtly bubble up from the ground.

Aguita Fria to
La Compartición (3.5 Km, 2600M to 2350M): Dropping
down the natural ridgeline, pine forests welcome us to our cozy cabin
in La Compartición. Excellent views of the mountain range are
in all directions. A small cascade and pool offer a brisk shower, before
a filling meal, a mug of hot chocolate and warm sleeping bag.

La Compartición
to Pico Duarte (4 Km, 2350M to 3087M): Beginning
with a steady climb hours before dawn, we follow a switchback trail
through pine forests along the wide ridgeline to an open meadow at Vallecito
de Lilis. We can catch a breath enjoying the view of La Pelona, the
second highest peak in the Caribbean at 3070M, before beginning the
final push to the summit. Sparse pine forests give way to rock and boulders
at the peak with origins dating back 60 million years to the Cretaceous
period. On a clear morning, with the sun rising over our path back down
the mountain, there is truly no doubt that we are on the Roof of the
Caribbean! Given reasonable weather and a good pace, we should be back
at the National Park Headquarters in La Cienega de Manabao by 3:00 p.m.

Giant Catamaran
Sail.A day of sailing along the North Coast from
Puerto Plata to Sosua and back enjoying the views, Caribbean music,
and friends on a giant Catamaran. Includes light morning snack, juice
and national beverages, lunch, snorkeling gear for the reefs, and roundtrip
transportation. Rating: All levels.